[aigel]

Costco is not eating the returns, the vendor's who get to sell their stuff at Costco need to take it back as part of their contract. Still, vendors will kill themselves to get to sell at Costco, because it is such a large retailer.

Generally, they will have a look at your history before taking returns, if you are a high roller and/or your rate of returns is low, they are very generous in what they take back. Like most anywhere in our society, it is the honor system and some people abuse such.

Personally, I like to shop at Costco for this reason. I sometimes bring stuff back that is a couple years old, if it has seen little use and fails on me. There are never any questions asked. And I do feel it is fair.

G